1. Learning Programming: Enhancing Quality through Problem-based Learning Chris Beaumont Claire Fox Edge Hill College of Higher Education

2. At the moment the way in which programming is taught and learned is fundamentally broken Tony Jenkins (2002).

3. Agenda The difficulties of Learning Programming Why do we think PBL might help? Implementing PBL Successes! Issues What next?

4. Barriers to learning programming Multiple skills & Processes - complexity –Problem-solving: Analysis, Synthesis - algorithm design, Pattern recognition, decision making, Design/ creativity, use of IT (tools/ IDE), Accuracy, Language Knowledge Educational Novelty Pace Teaching?

5. Can PBL Help? Multiple skills & Processes - complexity –PBL Explicitly teaches & develops problem- solving. –Learning is driven by problem-solving (not learning syntax & semantics) –Provides a systematic approach to manage complexity.

6. Can PBL Help? Educational Novelty & Pace –Gives measure of control to Students: –Starts from current knowledge (familiar) Constructivist basis, Vygotsky ZPD –Teamwork

7. PBL - the Extras Develops employability skills –Innovation, creativity, determination –Leadership, Teamwork –Communication –learned optimism, self-sufficiency –reflection Year 1: Friendship groups

8. Implementation –Teams (5-6) with leader & Learning team Coach –2 hr Tutorial, 2 hr Lab per week –PBL Cases: 2 x formative, 3 x summative (+ exam) –Resources: Self paced booklet. WebCT Discussion forum, quizzes, sample code, web links –Self, Peer & Tutor Assessment of PBL cases

10. Did it work? Successes –Initial motivation levels –Self reliance & owning problems –Creativity & Innovation –Learning to solve problems, not learning for assessment –Learning Team Coach

11. Issues Team commitment & Trust Vague planning Decline of motivation through the year To teach or not to Teach?

12. Where next? Induction - gradual move to PBL –Some introductory teaching –workshops to develop team working, planning, selection & use of resources. Research –student perceptions & attitudes through the year.